It isn’t outlandish to suggest that Newcastle United have arguably punched above their weight more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
Finishing 11th in the league last term, the Magpies find themselves in 4th place currently, just two points behind Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur side.
Perhaps more impressively, Eddie Howe’s men have managed to put the points on the board with ease, despite already having come up against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool this term.
As the Newcastle project is manifesting itself as the real deal, especially this season, many wonder if they can do the impossible by making the cut for the Champions League in the following campaign.
With Liverpool undergoing a crisis of a season and Chelsea still finding their way under Graham Potter’s management, some suggest it is possible in theory.
One of them is Chris Sutton, who believes Newcastle can shock the world by finishing in the top four this season.
“Absolutely, they’re top four contenders”, he said on BBC Radio Five Live, as relayed on the Chronicle Live.
Sutton continued, “You’re looking at Manchester City and I think Arsenal have been excellent. But then I think your Manchester Uniteds, your Tottenhams, your Chelseas, your Newcastles…
“Newcastle, the balance they have within the team, that confidence, the goals they’re scoring, how defensively sound they are, they’ve got something about them. (Allan) Saint-Maximin came back on the bench at the weekend, they’ve got Alexander Isak to come back, they are in a great place.
“At the start of the season, we would have thought Newcastle may finish seventh, but now, the way they’re playing, of course they’re top-four contenders.”
While many expect Champions League football to be a regular occurrence at St. James’ Park in a few years’ time, it would be a phenomenal accomplishment if it arrives as soon as next season.
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